The Disability Royal Commission is holding a series of public hearings in different locations around Australia.
Some of the issues covered in public hearings so far are:
- the education system
- employment
- discrimination in healthcare
- experiences of people with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic
- the criminal justice system
Witnesses at public hearings
Before each hearing, the Disability Royal Commission will ask certain people to appear at the hearing and answer questions as a witness.
This might include people with disability (or our families) who have made submissions or spoken to a commissioner in a private session. In this situation, appearing as a witness in a public setting is usually optional.
The Disability Royal Commission may also ask people from government, or other organisations under investigation, to appear as witnesses. In this situation, witnesses may be legally required to attend the hearing and answer questions.
Can I go to a public hearing as a member of the public?
COVID restrictions permitting, members of the public may attend public hearings in person. Hearings are held in different locations around Australia, and the details are released close to the hearing dates.
Public hearings are also live-streamed on the Disability Royal Commission website.
A list of upcoming hearings can be found here.
